Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-06-30

without knocking, ne was saving To
Miss Patience, whose back was toward
him. But never supposed the
school-room was occupied at this hour
suppose the heavy rain drowned my
step. 1t came pelting down so, Just as
was passing, that | was glad for any
refuge. Aud then | heard the voice of
my little chatterbox here
He broke of, for he was now stand
ing on the hearth, facing the school
mistress
Miss Patience had made one hurried
| effort 10 reach out after her discarded
cap and glasses, which she knew, when
she laid them of, that she could easily
adjust at the first sound of the approach
ing wheels of the hall carriage.
But the cap and front had slipped to
the hearth-rug, Mr. Ferguson had set
his foot inadvertently upon them.
Feeling something understood, and
seeing that the little schoolmistress
made him no manner of answer, but
kept her face bowed on Lilias's curls.
he stopped and in some amazement
picked up the grizzled front
Certainly ne md not know what to do
with it. He looked askance at the
schoolmistress's bowed head. Or was
the shining head hers, or was it Lilias's?
They both glittered alike, with their
wealth of golden hair, there in the fire.
light.
Tie let that grizzled front fall from
his hold He forgot all about it in
looking on that little schoolmistress.
"Bell"' he said very low; "Bellw
"Do you mean Lily-bell, papa?' asked
the child.
He did not even hear her.
"Bell.' he said again
This time the schoomistress lifted
her cleaning head. She looked up at
him with eyes wild with pain. Her
arm frightened about the child
Yes she said hoarsely, II know !
will have to go away. know | was
mad to come come here. was mad
wild and mad for a glimpse of the
child But | will 90 away"
He came a step nearer to her.
Bell, before you 90 away the second
time | demand to know why you went
the first"
You can ask me that she said be-
tween her set teeth. You"
II, who have the right to know why
my wife deserts me and her child.
She pressed her eager kisses on the
child's hair, the child who sat and
played with the great blue spectacles
on her lap not needing anything
of the low and thrilling voices around
her.
81 left the child, she answered him,
because knew / could trust her at
least with you. And it was better for
her; she would be quite happy, She
would forget. And Harold, do you
think did not care, that it would be
better and happier for you to have
Lily-bell's little innocent life in your
keeping?"
She held up her left hand, ringless,
in the freight.
THAT night found | had no right
to wear your wedding-ring
Bell. Areyo madg'
THAT night she went on, trying
to steady her trembling lips that
night that other woman came and told
you to your face that she was Harold
Ferguson's wife, Haunting her marriage
certificate before YOU and daring you
to prove that she lied"
BELL. And was so sure you had
not seen her'
The poor thing hid her working face
in the childs curls.
And you would condemn me utter
ly!" he said; without a word, without
giving Inc a chance
what could be the good of that.-or
of this?" she answered brokenlv ''You
never denied that marriage certificate;
| could see as much in Your stricken
face before ! crept out at the library
window on the terrace, where had fall
en- asleep among the curtains, when you
and she came in there Oh, | never
thought YOU meant it Harold No doubt
You had married her long before, when
YOU were so young you hardly
knew what you were doing you
thought the woman was dead. No
doubt it was all her fault, the-the
mistake, she looked a cruel and a
wicked woman. But what else could
| do than just to creep away?-to die,
I thought, But misery does not kiIlr
she cried out with . bitter laugh.
Bell, did you ever hear | hac
brother?'
"A brother? Never"
a brother who had fed the country
for the crime of forgery? 1t is no
wonder that you never heard Of it. My
proud old father would never let his
name be mentioned among US when we
moved to this distant part of the
country, and built our fortunes anew
here where no one had evcr heard of
the crime and shame of Harry Fer
guson
"'Harry-Ferguson?"
Her voice died in gasp.
"Ah, nowyou see howyou misunder-
stood the name on that certificate, and
now it was a thunderbolt to me-
There was one long, long moment Of
dead silence.
Then Bell Ferguson put her child
from her lap and fell down on her
knees, her clasped hands raised, her
pale face wet
go, Lily-bell-ask papa if it is too
late indeed If he could let me come
and be Your mamma?p